New mānuka honey brand launches in UK with batch-traceable jars and independently tested strength

Honey brand Honestly Mānuka has just launched in the UK this autumn. It sells single-origin honey from independent beekeepers in Northland, New Zealand, through Selfridges, the online retailer Healf.com and its own website. The company was founded by two couples, one based in the UK and one in New Zealand. It says every batch is independently tested for its methylglyoxal (MGO) content, and each jar carries batch information linking it to the beekeepers and season it came from. The founders say the approach is intended to address confusion among shoppers about what mānuka labels mean.

MGO is the naturally occurring compound most closely associated with mānuka honey’s distinctive properties, and it is the subject of ongoing research into its antibacterial activity. The figure is commonly printed on jars as a measure of strength. Honestly Mānuka’s position is that buyers are often asked to take that number on trust, and that independent testing means the figure on its labels reflects what has been measured in the honey.

It is small-batch and not blended across regions or harvests. The current batch was harvested in Northland in 2024 and aged for a year before release.

The range consists of three strengths, all 100% New Zealand monofloral mānuka honey with no added ingredients: 350+ MGO honey, labelled Defensive; 550+ MGO variety, labelled Restorative; 850+ MGO honey, labelled Intensive.

In the UK, the business is run by Brittany and James Dowell. Brittany is originally from New Zealand and has a background in business strategy, while James has worked in software development. In Northland, it is run by Jim Crump, a beekeeper with ten years’ experience, and Gwena Gilbert, who has a background in architecture and design. Asked how they eat the honey themselves, Gilbert said she drizzles the 850+ over Greek yoghurt, while Crump prefers it straight from the hive.

Food Desk

For further information and orders, visit Honestly Mānuka’s website here.